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Much has been said about using masks while exercising can impair oxygen uptake or increase carbon dioxide respiration, leading to a condition (hypercapnic hypoxia) where increased carbon dioxide displaces oxygen in the blood. But new international research, published in the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found no evidence to support these concerns.
“Our results are important because they indicate it people can wear face masks during strenuous physical activity with no adverse effects on performance and with minimal impact on blood and muscle oxygenation. This is especially important in environments such as gyms, as respiratory droplets can be pushed further by heavy breathing during intense exercise and in closed, crowded facilities, ”the researchers state in their findings.
The study, which involved 14 physically active and healthy men and women, tracked the effects of diet, prior physical activity, and sleep for 24 hours prior to the test. “If people wear masks while exercising indoors, it could make the sessions safer and allowing gyms to stay open during COVID-19. It could also allow some sports to continue, where COVID-19 transmission appears to be high, ”explains Dr Phil Chilibeck of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The stress test
During the research, participants were asked to do a short warm-up on an exercise bike. The stress test resulted in a progressive increase in intensity on the bike maintaining a required pedaling frequency. Once they have failed to maintain pedal speed for 6-12 minutes, the test is over.
The team evaluated the participants, who took the test three times each, once with a surgical mask, once with a cloth mask and once without a mask. The team recorded the participants’ blood oxygen levels and muscle oxygen levels during the test using non-invasive measurement tools.
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